What causes CO2 emissions and how can they be reduced?

In recent decades, excess CO2 has become one of the most important topics in international forums devoted to climate change. What makes carbon dioxide emissions in Poland and in the world constantly growing? How can it be reduced and why is it so important?

What are the risks of excessive carbon dioxide emissions?

CO2, i.e. carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide, is a colorless and odorless gas that occurs, among others, in the earth's atmosphere. This gas keeps the temperature on our planet stable and is conducive to the development of various life forms. And what happens when the amount of CO2 exceeds the permissible limits? Then the greenhouse effect is created.

The phenomenon of the greenhouse effect is that the temperature on Earth begins to rise because the excess gases in the planet's atmosphere trap heat energy. Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide act as a blanket. They prevent the free flow of heat from the planet's surface into space. This makes the climate warmer and we are increasingly struggling with:

• local flooding,
• fires,
• weather anomalies,
• unusual storms,
• droughts,
• melting of glaciers, etc.

What is the current CO2 emission in the world?

According to the analysis of the International Energy Agency, CO2 emissions in the world (2019 - 2022) exceed the level of 30 gigatons per year. This is, among others, the effect of the global energy crises and the development of Chinese industry (China remains in the infamous first place in the ranking of the largest CO2 emitters).

Currently, many countries decide to introduce a pro-ecological, green policy, but the emission of carbon dioxide in the world is still growing. It is estimated that the level of carbon dioxide emissions in the world in 2023 will exceed 50 gigatons!

CO2 emissions - Poland

What is worth knowing about CO2 emissions in Poland ? At the end of the twentieth century, various initiatives were undertaken in Poland and around the world to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere. According to the data available on the website of the Polish Ministry of Climate and Environment, in the years 1988-2012, carbon dioxide emissions in Poland decreased by about 31.5%.

According to the European Environment Agency, in 2019 Poland emitted over 322 million tonnes of carbon dioxide. This was 20 million tonnes of CO2 less than in 2018. Unfortunately, in 2021-2022, the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere began to increase again due to the energy crisis and increased demand for coal.

CO2 production in the world - the biggest culprits, causes of emissions

The International Energy Agency in the Global Energy Review 2021 report indicates several of the largest emitters of carbon dioxide. The infamous list includes countries such as China, India and the United States. Excessive CO2 emissions are also the responsibility of the European Union countries, which are listed collectively. Significant amounts of CO2 are also generated by Russia, Japan and Mexico.

The authors of the IEA report indicate various reasons for the increase in carbon dioxide emissions. In their opinion, this is a natural consequence:

• China's rapid economic growth and growing demand for electricity,
• increased coal combustion in India and the United States in 2020-2021 (in the USA, as a result of the growing drought, many hydroelectric power plants did not function efficiently, which contributed to the increase in energy demand in gas and coal-fired power plants).

Global increases in CO2 production in Europe and around the world are, of course, not only a consequence of crises in the energy sector. There are also many other phenomena and trends contributing to the greenhouse effect. Excess carbon dioxide is also the result of:

• growing number of private combustion vehicles,
• expanding landfills,
• development of the logistics, transport and aviation industry,
• combustion of low-quality raw materials in obsolete coal furnaces ( soot furnaces ),
• burning forests, meadows and jungles,
• increased livestock production and the clearing of forests in favor of pastures.

How to reduce CO2 emissions in Europe and in Poland?

The effects of global warming on Earth are becoming more and more severe. Islands are beginning to disappear from the surface of our planet, flooded with water from melting glaciers. The temperature is constantly rising, more and more areas are deserted. How to reduce CO2 emissions? Europe and the world are still looking for an answer to this important question. One of the main recovery plans is to switch to renewable energy sources, coming from the sun, wind, land and water. The number of electric vehicles that do not generate toxic fumes is also growing.

Other activities are also conducive to reducing CO2 emissions, for example:

• introduction of green chemistry in industry,
• reducing meat consumption on a global scale,
• replacement of home and company installations with energy-saving ones.

It is also worth remembering that each person generates a carbon footprint. As beings endowed with intellect, we are able to change our daily bad habits, which increase the amount of CO2. Let us remember that we can protect the environment through small actions - reducing the amount of garbage produced and using public transport more often.